The Surprising Little Nutrient That Might Help You Conceive [STUDY]

Summary: Getting enough of the trace mineral selenium could improve your odds of becoming pregnant, suggests a new Australian study. Since this is most commonly found in meat, if you're vegetarian or vegan you might want to take extra care to make sure you're hitting your daily quota.

Trying to conceive? Certain foods can help increase your chances for becoming pregnant. Dairy products and complex carbs appear to promote regular ovulation, while the antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables could boost fertility. But that's not all. Now, experts suspect there's another nutrient that might make a difference, too.

Higher levels of the mineral selenium may boost a woman's likelihood for becoming pregnant, according to a new Australian study. When researchers looked at the ovary cells of women undergoing in vitro fertilization, they found that women whose cells had elevated levels of selenium were more likely to become pregnant. The trace mineral, which acts as a detoxifying antioxidant, may play a role in helping to create a healthier environment for a woman's eggs.

Women of childbearing age need 55 micrograms of the nutrient per day (FYI, the number jumps to 60 mcg during pregnancy and 70 mcg if you're breastfeeding), and most Americans are getting their fill. You can get a day's worth of selenium (or close to it) from a serving of fish or meat like halibut, ham, shrimp, beef or turkey.

And if you're vegetarian or vegan? Happily, plenty of plant foods pack hefty doses of the stuff, too. In fact, nosh on just one buttery Brazil nut, and you'll have met your selenium needs for the whole day. Other good sources:

1 cup cooked enriched pasta: 37 mcg selenium

1 cup cooked brown rice: 19 mcg selenium

1 cup vegetarian baked beans: 13 mcg selenium

1 cup fortified cereal: 15 mcg selenium

1 cup cooked oatmeal: 13 mcg selenium

The bottom line? No matter what kind of diet you follow, you're most likely getting enough fertility-boosting selenium. Still, if you're vegetarian or vegan and are trying to become pregnant, it couldn't hurt to talk with a nutritionist to review your intake (plus chat about other healthy foods you should be eating). A little insurance never hurts!